“since the movement started with Ron Paul and his libertarian followers”
Is that true? I kinda thought it started with Glenn Beck.
The tea party movement actually started in 1773. Many have taken up the name, but the latest movement has direct themes to the original tea party. Paul and his ilk used the name for some of their little anti-war, Guy Faulks type protests, but it had nothing to do with the Tea Party protests you see around the country now.
I think the original idea came from somebody name Santelli or Santori (from CNBC) and an off-the-cuff comment that he made during a live broadcast when he was railing against the original bailout.
Nope.
When Paul ran for President, he inspired people.
They made their own signs, donated their own money, and used MeetUp.com to hold meetings with other Paul supporters.
I know, I was there, and we used to hold impromtu rallies on street corners and parks for Paul.
Paul was the only Republican who could have match Obama's online presence, grassroots support and fund-raising.
Political views
Beck says of his political views, "I consider myself a libertarian. I'm a conservative, but every day that goes by I'm fighting for individual rights." Among his core values Beck lists personal responsibility, private charity, the right to life, freedom of religion, low debt, limited government, and family as the cornerstone of society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_beck#Political_views
I thought it started with Freedom Works, Dick Armey’s organization. Along with spontaneous local tea parties. The one in the Tucson area is unaffiliated, but the local Republicans have been very involved.
Along with Smart Girl Politics
And Rick Santelli, no?
Folks here at FR were calling for new Tea Parties (events, not political parties) in Oct. ‘08 when Congress was setting up the TARP bail-out. After Santulli’s outburst, Beck and FOX co-opted it as Anti-Tax Tea Parties.